EDDIE HEARN is eager to host Anthony Joshua’s high-stakes rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in London but admits the fight won’t generate as much cash in the UK.
Joshua will bid to avenge his schooling at the hands of the slick southpaw in the summer, although a date for their second showdown hasn’t been finalised.
But he admits staging it abroad will “more than double” the revenue for the bout
The oil-rich Saudis are the current frontrunners to land the bout, and Hearn admits a desert dust-up will generate “more than double” the revenue it would in London.
He told The Mirror: “We’d like to do it in London, but Usyk’s on a share of the revenue.
“It’s probably more than double to do it elsewhere so we’re up against that.
“We’d like it in London because it gives you an edge, it gives AJ an edge and we’d definitely take an edge in that fight.
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“But ultimately, both fighters have got to be happy with the deal and we have to generate the most revenue for that fight at the same time.”
July 23 is the current working date for Joshua’s second dance with Usyk, who recently left the front lines in Ukraine to prepare for his maiden defence of the unified heavyweight titles.
Hearn said: “The fight is 100 per cent happening in July.
“We’re closing off the date at the moment, venue and everything and we hope to have an announcement for you very soon.”
Hearn, 42, hopes to announce Joshua’s date with destiny within the next ten days.
He recently told the DAZN Boxing Show: “We’ll be in July, July 23
“That’s the front-runner, we’re in final negotiations with sites in the Middle East and the UK.
“We looked at America, but I don’t think that will be where it takes place.
“I’d like to be in a position, fight week for Canelo, where we have some news.”
Joshua, 32, was turned over in his Tottenham tussle with former cruiserweight king Usyk last September, suffering a unanimous decision defeat in north London.
AJ is hellbent on exacting revenge on the Ukrainian, saying: “I’m done with f***ing losing. I’m done with trying to learn the sweet science.
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“The referee might get thrown on the floor in the next fight because this is war.
“It’s just straight war, I’m annoyed. I’m boiling up even speaking about it – it’s that passion to win.”
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